Guns N' Roses Concert Review (Melbourne)

By Ronny Lerner

Guns N’ Roses reaffirmed their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time on Tuesday night with a concert for the ages at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It was very fitting that 30 years after the release of their seminal debut album Appetite For Destruction, and despite over two decades of squabbling, the reunited Gunners – featuring original members Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan – still played in front of some 80,000 screaming fans.

It was a strong statement of the high regard in which they are still held and the timelessness of their incredible music 24 years after they last played in Melbourne.

The legendary trio were ably supported by longtime Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed, guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.

After a 45-minute delay, which is nothing compared to some of the hour-long delays the band was notorious for back in their heyday, the show got off to a comical start when the group’s longtime guitar technician McBob shouted out “Sydney!”, while introducing them.

The error was promptly met with a chorus of boos from the crowd but it was quickly forgotten about when Duff started playing the iconic baseline intro of “It’s So Easy” and from there it was two-and-a-half hours of balls-to-the-wall nonstop classic rock.

The Gunners showed once again that they are the living, breathing embodiment of the rock ‘n’ roll ethos and Axl the epitome of old-school Sunset Strip decadence.

The iconic lead singer was lavishly adorned with diamond-encrusted necklaces, tennis-ball-size rings and had numerous wardrobe changes.

But when he wasn’t catching his breath after running around the huge stage at the Ponsford Stand end of the ground, the 55-year-old still hit the right notes more often than not.

Slash and Duff were supreme on guitars and bass respectively, hardly missing a beat as they tore through some of the band’s greatest songs.

If you weren’t regularly checking out online which setlists the band was playing in the lead-up to this gig, you would have been surprised to know that material from Chinese Democracy was also played.

Admittedly, it was a bit odd to watch Slash and Duff play songs from an album they had nothing to do with.

However, seeing them slay classics such as “Welcome To The Jungle”, “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “November Rain”, “Paradise City”, “You Could Be Mine” and “Civil War” provided the perfect mix of adrenalin and nostalgia for the rabid hordes in attendance.

The concert provided everything you could want from a big stadium act – pyrotechnics, fireworks, huge screens, confetti ... and, of course, Angus Young.

That’s right, the legendary AC/DC guitarist joined the fellas on stage for amazing renditions of Acca Dacca classics “Whole Lotta Rosie” and “Riff Raff”.

Although Angus wasn’t in his school uniform, so we’re not sure if he received a detention for that misdemeanour.

What more could you ask for from a gig? Not much. After 150 minutes of awesomeness, the crowd was still hanging around craving more.

As the fellas finally left the stage, and after Axl threw his mic into the crowd, Slash summed up the fans’ collective mood when he performed a perfectly-executed handstand.

SETLIST

It's So Easy

Mr Brownstone

Chinese Democracy

Welcome To The Jungle

Double Talkin’ Jive

Better

Estranged

Live And Let Die

Rocket Queen

You Could Be Mine

Attitude

This I Love

Civil War

Awesome jam, inc. Slash solo and The Godfather theme

Sweet Child O’ Mine

Whole Lotta Rosie (with Angus Young)

Riff Raff (with Angus Young)

Wish You Were Here (instrumental)

Layla (instrumental)

November Rain

Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Nightrain

ENCORE

Don't Cry

Paradise city